Local Companies Team Up To Deliver Critical Supplies to Iraqi Hospitals MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Two Twin Cities companies and a Minnesota-based humanitarian relief organization are teaming up to make life better for thousands of people in southern Iraq. Seven pallets of medical supplies donated by Universal Hospital Services, Inc. (UHS) and shipped via Northwest Airlines and KLM arrived in Kuwait City today. The supplies will be distributed by the American Refugee Committee (ARC) in hospitals in southern Iraq's Maysan province, where ARC has its base of humanitarian operations. Post-war Iraq suffers from a variety of problems that seriously affect the health of its population. Hospitals are full to capacity with children and adults suffering from diarrheal disease, lung disorders, and other poverty- related illnesses. Meanwhile the hospitals, especially in the south, face overcrowding and severe shortages of all kinds of equipment and supplies. "As the leader in moveable medical equipment management and services, it is our privilege to partner with Northwest Airlines to assist in easing the suffering of the people of Iraq", said Gary Blackford, chief executive officer of Universal Hospital Services, Inc. "UHS has had the opportunity to assist many other countries in their time of need for medical equipment, including most recently, the country of Vietnam." "We are thrilled at the generosity of these Minnesota companies," states Hugh Parmer, ARC's President. "This donation will make a significant difference in the lives of so many people." The American Refugee Committee has refurbished two hospitals in the Maysan province of southern Iraq. It has also completed many other water, sanitation, and reconstruction projects. About Universal Hospital Services, Inc. Based in Bloomington, Minnesota, Universal Hospital Services is a leading nationwide provider of medical technology outsourcing and services to more than 5,900 acute care hospitals and alternate site providers and major medical equipment manufacturers. Our services fall into three general categories: Medical Equipment Outsourcing, Technical and Professional Services, and Medical Equipment Sales and Remarketing. We provide a comprehensive range of support services, including equipment delivery, training, technical and educational support, inspection, maintenance and complete documentation. Universal Hospital Services currently operates through 67 district offices and 13 regional service centers, serving customers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For more information visit http://www.uhs.com/ or contact Bethany Oliver at 952-893-3288. About American Refugee Committee For nearly 25 years, the American Refugee Committee has been working to ease the suffering of the victims of war around the world. The American Refugee Committee is a nonprofit humanitarian relief organization based in Minneapolis that works for the survival, health and well-being of refugees and displaced persons caught in the crossfire of civil violence, warfare, and other disasters. For more information, visit http://www.archq.org/ or contact Martha Naegeli at 612-607-6481. DATASOURCE: Universal Hospital Services, Inc. CONTACT: Bethany Oliver of Universal Hospital Services, Inc., +1-952-893-3288, or Martha Naegeli of American Refugee Committee, +1-612-607-6481 Web site: http://www.archq.org/ http://www.uhs.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/916244.html

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